The Black Country’s award-winning actress Julie Walters and Rupert Grint - best known as the ginger-headed Ron Weasley - were joined by their Harry Potter co-stars at the premiere of their new film Driving Lessons. The pair who play mother and son in the spell-binding films were greeted by scores of Potter fanatics outside the Curzon in Mayfair.
Between Potter duties and working on Driving Lessons they have rarely been apart.
And last night, the red carpet event turned into somewhat of a family affair as not only did Emma Watson who plays Hermione in the Potter series drop by to lend her support, but also the cast that make up the rest of the Weasley household.
Walters said she was thrilled to share the silver screen again with her 18-year-old co-star and not at all surprised by the deafening reception for him. “They all find him really cool. There is a sort of vulnerability about him that is lovely. He is sweet. I do say to his mum, ‘I am his other mother you know’,” she said.
The 56-year-old has recently completed her first novel Maggie’s Tree, a dark and funny story about a relationship set in Manhattan, the promotional tour for which will see her return to the Midlands.
There is also talk of an autobiography on the cards, but she played down this rumour.
“I don’t think I would write an autobiography. It would be more of a memoir,” she added.
Grint, who plays shy teenager Ben and is whisked off to Edinburgh on an adventure by Walter’s character, retired actress Evie, in the quirky new comedy, conceded there were jitters about the project.
“I was a bit nervous because I have been used to the same set and crew for years,” he said.
The teen idol who catapulted to stardom when picked to play Harry Potter’s best mate in the screen adaptations of JK Rowling’s popular novel series, received nothing but praise from Driving Lessons director Jeremy Brock, who said Grint had the potential to go on and win an Oscar some day.
“Rupert has is a gift for naturalness and a sense of comic timing, which when you combine with Julie, is perfect,” he said.
Walters and Grint shot the film back-to-back during a six-week break from the fifth Potter adaptation. Driving Lessons opens nationwide this Friday.
By Sunita Patel
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